Loc-it Your Way

I have chosen Sisterlocks as the method that I will use to loc my hair, but it is by no means the only way to do this. I chose this method as I have permed ends and did not want to BC (big chop.

According to KnattyDread.com , there are at least 5 ways to lock your hair. Here is the list, and if Sisterlocks (Brotherlocks for the fellas) is not for you then you may find another technique that works.

Spin and Pin (aka comb coils, single strand twists)The Spin and Pin method is the most commonly used method for locking highly textured (nappy) hair. Even though the most used, it is the method that is the hardest to see through to finished locs, because this method’s baby locs are very delicate. Also, this method only works on nappy hair. Caucasians and Asians who want to lock their hair shouldn’t even attempt this method.

2 or 3 strand twistsThe 2 or 3 strand twist method is gaining popularity for locking hair. 2 or 3 strand twists are less delicate than single or comb coil twists, but are still only really ideal in highly textured African hair.
The basic idea is that the 2 or 3 strand twists hold the hair so that the roots can begin locking. The hair in the twist eventually loosens and begins to lock as well. 2 or 3 strand twist have an advantage as they are a beautiful style in themselves as you wait for the dreads to lock, and despite the strand twists being visible in the finished dread, strand twists tend to lock smoother and the finished loc-from-strand twist is visually more pleasing. As such there is no need to trim off the once strand twisted hair since it looks good after it has dreaded. One disadvantage is that strand twists are not as durable as the next method–braids.

Locking from braidsLocking dreads up from braids is not for everyone but it works well in some situations. The first thing to understand about locking from braids is that the hair that starts out braided should eventually be trimmed away after the locs have begun forming. It’s not mandatory that you trim of the braided ends but the texture of the braid will always remain in the dread. This is because hair in a braid lays parallel or beside the other hair and the braid prevents much movement. The only hair that actually locs is the hair that has worked its way out of the braid. This is the loose fuzzy hair that you might see on the surface of braids that need to be redone. Even after this hair locks, which takes a considerable amount of time, the majority of the hair remains trapped in the braid and never truly becomes a dreadlock. This is why it’s best to start with very short braids or plats and just trim off the braided ends after the locs grow out a bit and are mature enough to hold their own.

Backcombing (teasing)Backcombing is a popular method for locking Caucasian and Asian hair types because it’s one of the few methods that works in hair without texture. It’s also gaining popularity in African hair textures as well because of its consistent results and durable knots. The only real disadvantage of backcombing is the time that’s required to backcomb them initially. Backcombing can be used in highly textured African hair, bone straight Asian hair, wavy Caucasian hair or any hair texture in between. This makes it an excellent method for hair that has been relaxed, eliminating the need to cut off the relaxed portion before locking. Dread size and placement can be controlled though sectioning. Dread locs done with this method look very decent as soon as they are dreaded. They appear a bit fuzzier than mature dreads while they are new but they soon compress and tighten. The areas of the dread that were backcombed are almost identical to the new growth which will lock as the hair continues to grow. This makes backcombing a “seamless” locking method. Newly backcombed dreads are not indestructible but they are much more durable than twists or strand twists.

Latching (Sisterlocks could be considered a form of latching)Latching has recently exploded in popularity. The biggest benefits to latching are its ease and it’s durability. Because the hair is wrapped though itself rather than knotted the latched locks are very durable, in fact they are almost impossible to remove without cutting should you want to remove them, whereas other methods can be combed out with relative ease using dreadlock removal products.
There is a difference between Latched Locks and Dreadlocks. Latched locks do not have the random knots of dreadlocks. When locs are latched they are basically wrapped though themselves repeatedly from alternating directions. Each wrap is made up of hair strands lying against each other. They run parallel instead of being randomly knotted. Latched locs tend to be thinner than organic locs formed with the same amount of hair. This is because hair laying flat beside other hair takes up less space than hair that is knotted randomly.

One of these methods may work for you, if you decide to embrace the joy of a natural hair style. Whether you start your locs with an organic method or using a tool as in Sisterlocks, the decision is yours. Just do your homework and find out the best route for you. See you on the natural side.